[hgoodwiniii]

Hi all, I am having a transmision problem with my 1997. It has 160,000 miles on it. The transmssion gave a real big slip a few mornings ago. It then began to pull fine; However, later that day, it completely stopped pulling in any gear including reverse. It would then pull real slow for a few feet (especially after shutting the engine off for a few minutes). I am being told by the transmisiosn shop that the forward clutch is worn.

Can anyone let me know if the symptoms I described fit a worn froward clutch diagnosis? Thanks.

[flexyxj]

Check the fluid level first before doing ANYTHING else.

[1SASjeepster]

I have a 1998 ZJ Laredo with the 5.2 HO. My all wheel drive tranny was doing the same thing. I checked the fluid and it seemed fine. I then called up a transmission guy I trust. He told me to check the transmission fluid level on level ground IN NEUTRAL. It has to be in neutral. I am not sure why. Well, I did as he said and I wasn't even showing on the dip stick. I brought it up to level and tried it again. It gave me one initial problem and then worked great. When it got low, I put in some of those transmission additives... I am sorry but I forgot the name. Anyway, it helped. I was told that my "vicisous coupler" went out and that you are better off with a new transmission ($3,000). Well, so far my ZJ is going on for another year so it is working for me. It isn't perfect but it is working.

Take care,

[sevenscrew]

viscous coupler is in the 249 transfer case. unrelated to the transmission. a bad vc will have you feeling the 4wd A lot more on turns especially.

[jnicewan]

When clutches burn or wear it leaves clutch debris in the fluid, the filter traps most of the debris and it doesnt take long to stop up the filter. The filter has no bypass so when they stop up fluid flow gets restricted so you lose hydraulic pressure, when you lose hydraulic pressure it will cause clutches to slip even more and eventually get to the point where it will not pull in gear either due to burned clutches or loss of hydraulic pressure. It sounds like this might be your problem. Check the fluid level and condition, smell it and see if it smells burnt, maybe drop the pan and see if the bottom of the pan is covered in clutch debris/goo.

[hgoodwiniii]

Will do. Thanks.

[1SASjeepster]

Sevenscrew,

Thanks for the correction. You are absolutely correct. I don't know what I was thinking but I confused two drivetrain components and made them one. Thanks for the correction.

Take care,

[ratmonkey]

Originally Posted by hgoodwiniii

Hi all, I am having a transmision problem with my 1997. It has 160,000 miles on it. The transmssion gave a real big slip a few mornings ago. It then began to pull fine; However, later that day, it completely stopped pulling in any gear including reverse. It would then pull real slow for a few feet (especially after shutting the engine off for a few minutes). I am being told by the transmisiosn shop that the forward clutch is worn.

Can anyone let me know if the symptoms I described fit a worn froward clutch diagnosis? Thanks.

if fluid level is ok, it's the direct drive clutch. a full rebuild is in order.

Originally Posted by 1SASjeepster

I have a 1998 ZJ Laredo with the 5.2 HO. My all wheel drive tranny was doing the same thing. I checked the fluid and it seemed fine. I then called up a transmission guy I trust. He told me to check the transmission fluid level on level ground IN NEUTRAL. It has to be in neutral. I am not sure why. Well, I did as he said and I wasn't even showing on the dip stick. I brought it up to level and tried it again. It gave me one initial problem and then worked great. When it got low, I put in some of those transmission additives... I am sorry but I forgot the name. Anyway, it helped. I was told that my "vicisous coupler" went out and that you are better off with a new transmission ($3,000). Well, so far my ZJ is going on for another year so it is working for me. It isn't perfect but it is working.

Take care,

you check in neutral with the motor running because the pump does not function in park. therefore the reading you get in park is of all the fluid drained back, not in operating condition like the dipstick is metered for.

[1SASjeepster]

Thanks for the explanation about why you check your transmission fluid level in NEUTRAL. All my life, I was always taught to check it in PARK. I appreciate tthe explanation.

Take care,

[Timo_90xj]

Originally Posted by 1SASjeepster

Thanks for the explanation about why you check your transmission fluid level in NEUTRAL. All my life, I was always taught to check it in PARK. I appreciate tthe explanation.

Take care,

It depends on the transmission if you check it in park or neutral. For example AW4 on the XJs you check it in park, vehicle running on level ground. Some of the chrysler trannies must be checked on neutral - many of the shift kits correct the lack of fluid circulation on park on the 44/46/48. IIRC tranny fluid does not go through the cooler in park, so if you overheat the tranny you better keep it neutral and pull the e-brake to cool it down.

[flexyxj]

Originally Posted by 1SASjeepster

Thanks for the explanation about why you check your transmission fluid level in NEUTRAL. All my life, I was always taught to check it in PARK. I appreciate tthe explanation.

Take care,

Most trannys will be marked on the dipstick- "Check fluid neutral" or "Check fluid park"